All Call Signs Listeners Guide

Samaritans Hotline:116 123

Non-emergency Police:101

Combat Stress 24hr:0800 138 1619

All Call Signs connects serving and veteran service personnel who need a chat and that’s what listeners should aim to be: someone who is easy to talk to about anything and everything that may come up. What you should not try to be is a counsellor or a mental health professional, or try to give advice that you are not qualified to give. ACS users have chosen the servicebecause you have a military background and you can understand the things that are worrying them, so be friendly and stick to what you know and you’ll have made a huge difference to somebody’s life. If you believe someone requires professional help, please divert them to the SOS page.

Once the connection is made between an ACS caller and a listener, your conversation is private, you can stay in contact as much as you’d like. Where this service differs from a call centre or something similar is you can keep in touch. It’d be nice if you could follow up or check in with someone who has reached out to you for help and see how they’re doing. Showing that kind of compassion and thought can really make a difference to someone who is down or depressed.

What to do if you believe someone to be suicidal

Most people who commit suicide make reference to it before hand, so it is very important that you take any threats or talk of suicide seriously. Where possible, encourage them to reach out to a family member or friend who lives with them or close by. The Samaritans run a 24 hour hotline and are trained to speak to suicidal people, they are available on 116 123.

If you believe someone to be in imminent danger of taking their own life, call 999.